Parliamentary Panel Calls for Overhaul of NGT to Tackle Operational Bottlenecks

A parliamentary panel has flagged significant operational gaps at the National Green Tribunal (NGT), urging the government to take immediate corrective measures to enhance the tribunal's efficiency. The committee's observations come amid growing concerns over delays in environmental justice and the tribunal's ability to handle a mounting caseload.

The panel, in its latest report, noted that despite the NGT's crucial role in addressing environmental disputes, its functioning has been hampered by multiple issues, including vacancies in judicial and expert positions, inadequate infrastructure, and procedural bottlenecks. These gaps, the committee said, have directly impacted the tribunal's ability to deliver timely justice, undermining public confidence in the institution.

One of the primary concerns highlighted is the chronic shortage of judicial members and technical experts. The NGT, established under the National Green Tribunal Act, 2010, is designed to have both judicial and expert members. However, vacancies have persisted for years, leading to the constitution of smaller benches and causing delays in hearings. The panel stressed that without a full-strength tribunal, the backlog of cases is likely to grow, defeating the very purpose of a specialised environmental court.

Infrastructure inadequacies were also flagged. The panel observed that the NGT's regional benches lack sufficient courtrooms, modern recording systems, and digital infrastructure to support e-filing and virtual hearings. While the tribunal has attempted to adopt technology, the committee noted that progress is uneven, with some benches still relying on outdated processes. This, in turn, slows down the disposal of cases and increases the cost of litigation for ordinary citizens.

Procedural delays have been another key area of concern. The committee pointed to the frequent adjournments and the absence of strict time limits for filing replies and reports. It recommended that the NGT adopt a more robust case management system, similar to those used by higher courts, to ensure that interlocutory matters are resolved quickly and that final hearings are not unduly postponed.

The panel also suggested that the government consider amending the NGT Act to provide for a dedicated mechanism for the appointment of members, ensuring that vacancies are filled well in advance of retirements. It also called for enhanced collaboration between the NGT and central and state pollution control boards, so that technical reports are submitted in a timely manner and do not become a source of delay.

Furthermore, the committee recommended that the NGT be provided with additional financial and administrative autonomy to manage its own budget and recruit supporting staff. It argued that the tribunal's dependence on the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change for routine administrative approvals has often slowed down its operations, affecting its independence and efficiency.

The report is expected to be taken up for discussion in the next session of Parliament. Environmental groups have welcomed the findings, describing them as a timely reminder of the need to strengthen the NGT. They have urged the government to act on the recommendations without further delay, emphasising that a well-functioning green tribunal is essential for protecting the environment and ensuring sustainable development.

In its response, the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change has reportedly assured the panel that it is examining the suggestions and will take steps to address the staffing and infrastructure shortfalls. However, observers note that past assurances have not always translated into concrete action, and they will be watching closely to see whether the government's latest commitment yields tangible results.

The parliamentary panel's intervention comes at a time when environmental litigation is on the rise due to increased public awareness and stricter regulatory scrutiny. The NGT has handled landmark cases involving air pollution, industrial waste, and illegal mining, but its overall effectiveness depends on its ability to deliver swift and substantive rulings. As the panel has rightly pointed out, operational gaps cannot be ignored if the tribunal is to live up to its mandate.